Pearly Whites

Be true to your teeth and they won't be false to you. ~Soupy Sales

Too much sugar (marshmallow and chocolate - that Kailer has been feeding Bruno from his "Countdown to Christmas" calendar) led Bruno to the toothbrush this morning.  He achy teeth were longing for a good cleaning - with Aylah's toothbrush and Kailer's paste.

Our happy girl on a Saturday morning!

Dying to go outside ... he did, but quickly returned with a red nose, cheeks, ears and even the palm of his hands!
BRRRSSSS!!!

It's wonderful that Kailer is getting to the point where he can help with Aylah; though I'm not sure how I feel about his ability to get her up on the couch now!  Nonetheless, they both thought it was great and thoroughly enjoyed bouncing away - and once again I'm reminded, "This is why we don't have nice furniture."

Work, Work, Work

With temperatures reaching somewhere between -20 and -30 this past week, Bruno buckled down today and decided to do some good old fashioned WORK!  He and his dump truck crew spent the day digging dirt and hauling it to the next location...we weren't able to witness much today, as everyone was gone, but the weekend should prove to be entertaining!

 

 

Note to Self: When the toddler is quiet, there's a reason why!!

Fishing is the sport of drowning worms. ~Author Unknown

Apparently Bruno was missing his daily ice fishing excursions with his elf friends at the North Pole because this morning this is where we found him ..... 

Hook, Line & Sinker, he was using a giant Lego fish to bait in Marlin and Nemo; thankfully neither one of them fell for his trickery!



"You and me go fishing in the dark."

By the end of the day, Bruno had managed to pull that big 'ol Lego fish right outta the water!  The fish was safely tucked under his arm and ready for a quick trip to the North Pole when I tucked Kailer into bed!

Tonto and Scout?

This morning we were greeted by Bruno and Ziggy eating oats while their farm friends (sheep, chicken and ducks) watched on.  It was rendered that they were possibly trying to act out a "Tonto and Scout" scene, but confirmation could not be made, as Bruno doesn't do much talking!  Kailer just couldn't believe that Bruno was wearing Woody's hat and he told me that he was "pretty sure" he heard some noise in the middle of the night as Bruno dug the hat and fence out of his toy box! 

 

 

 

After a day of eating oats and chocolate (courtesy of Kailer putting it in the bowl), Bruno and Ziggy decided it was time for a siesta.  Kailer was terribly concerned, though....he told me that while putting the chocolate in the bowl he "felt something soft, like Bruno's leg" and he was concerned that he might have lost his magic.  I told him that it was probably just Ziggy that he felt, but Kailer wasn't so sure!  After a discussion, I suggested that Kailer go and apologize to Bruno in case he did accidentally touch him.  It was the sweetest thing to hear - he has such a big heart!



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As a mother who's heart swells with tears every time I look at my kids and see how they are growing so quickly, I had a moment tonight that sent me into PANIC MODE!  While playing with Edward (his 7 y.o. BFF) Kailer came roaring into the house to show Edward where Bruno had settled in for the day.  Not long after Kailer's excited voice announced their arrival, I heard Edward say, "I don't think Santa is real."  SCREEEEEECH ..... my heart stopped, sweat beads formed on my forehead and my heart skipped a beat! "NO, NOT YET," I wanted to scream, "Don't let the magic of Christmas be gone just like that!!"  The next thing I knew the boys were running upstairs to play.  Deep breath, slowly exhale ....... I was silently praying that Kailer didn't hear Edward's comment.   Nothing more was said until after dinner when Kailer said, "Edward doesn't think Santa is real.  I told him that he is, but Edward keeps saying he's not."  "That's too bad," I replied, "because Santa only visits the houses where people believe.  Mom and Dad believe."  "I do too," he replied!  Phew .... close call .... too close!  I'm not ready to close this chapter of his life already!!

 





Picasso??

 

 

Oh, dear, dear Bruno (*Sigh*) - we see that you think you're a humorous 'artist'?  I'm not sure that Momma likes her green chinny-chin-chin hair, nor Aylah's devil horns and Daddy's not too fond of his colored nose.  Kailer thinks his blue "eye-mask" is pretty cool though - it appears you might be picking a favorite? 

 

 

Kailer has also informed me, after watching your movie ("Elf on the shelf") at least 4 times since yesterday, that "There is a really pretty girl on the movie and that's why he has to watch it."  He proceeded to tell me that he thinks she's so pretty that he wants to kiss her ... whoa!?!?

 

 

I do hope that you take the necessary steps to cleaning up your "artistic" work; learn from Aylah.  For example, just tonight that cute little pigtail-sporting girl proceeded to purposely spit her milk on the floor - not once, but twice!  She sure made it hard for me to be mad at her though, as she quickly went to the drawer, got a towel and cleaned it up.  Take a little hint Bruno!!



 

 

 

 

As we walked away from admiring the artwork this morning I said to Bruno, "You better hope that mess comes off my picture."  To which Kailer replied, "Oh Mom, you can just scrub it off!"  God bless his little heart for recognizing that Mom is able to do nearly everything - whether she wants to or not!! :)

Roasted 'mallows!

It's truly fitting that Bruno's first night would be spent eating! Anyone who knows my kids knows that they are NOT strangers to food!  In fact, often times before one meal and/or snack is finished they are asking about the next.  I know I shouldn't complain, as there are many kids who are extremely picky and hardly eat - I do not have that problem.

 

 

This morning we found Bruno behind the fireplace with a roasted 'mallow and remnants of the deliciously sticky treat on his lips!  As the day progressed the sugary puff got smaller and smaller, until it was finally gone!!!  We are worried that poor 'lil Bruno may end up with a tummy ache.  So far, though, he's holding his own - waiting to fly off to the North Pole in the Winter Wonderland that is presenting itself outside tonight!

 



The Beginning of a New Tradition.

It all started like any other day, "Kailer, go out and feed Mesa (the dog) while I start breakfast, " followed by the instantaneous, "But I don't WANT to feed Mesa!!" (Evidence in 5 years why we will not have another dog when the children plea for a cute puppy in the grocery store parking lot).  I knew that this morning was the perfect time for the package that would be waiting for Kailer when he entered the garage - the magical package that I'd heard so much about for several years, but never knew how fantastic it could be - the blessed, back-up parenting of "The Elf on the Shelf."  This year Santa dropped off a very special Elf friend for Kailer & Aylah, as a constant reminder that they are being watched from now until Christmas Eve.
Follow the blog for the next 24 days to see how our elf, Bruno, plays an important role in a new family tradition.  It should prove to be exciting!!